Carlsbad Caverns proposes $2 entrance fee hike

Ahead of President Obama's visit to Carlsbad Caverns, we went underground and checked out the beauty of the natural caves.
Sara Sanchez/El Paso Times

Ranger Chris Bramblett at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, pictured in undated photo, with two junior rangers. Sens. Martin Heinrich and Lamar Anderson (R-Tennessee) introduced a bill to offer free entry to federal public lands and water for fourth grade students and their families.(Photo: Courtesy of National Park Service)

Visitors to Carlsbad Caverns National Park come for the joy of seeing an underground wonder and exploring the Chihuahuan Desert vistas offered by the park.

Currently that privilege costs $10 in entrance fees for those 16 or older.

Park officials said Thursday, that in compliance with the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, they are considering a $2 hike to that fee.

The $12 entrance fee would be charged to visitors beginning October 1, 2017, a news release from the park stated.

Anyone under the age of 15 will continue to get a free pass.

“Your general admission pass is good for three full days in an awe-inspiring underground world. We also offer free ranger activities including nightly bat flight programs during the summer and star party events one weekend per month,” said Carlsbad Caverns National Park Superintendent Doug Neighbor.

The Act requires recreation fees to be invested in visitor services and similar experiences at national parks. The Caverns is only one of a few national parks that charge entrance fees, but between 80 and 100 percent of those fees are reinvested at the Caverns.

"Carlsbad Caverns National Park has used fee money to address deferred maintenance projects which are not covered by the park’s base budget," the statement read.

The Caverns has recently seen a $5 million investment to replace the secondary elevator hoist-way, which transports visitors from the visitors center, 750 feet into the underground cavern.

Another $5 million is expected to help complete the modernization of the primary elevators by May of next year.